Tommy Kelly wasn’t at all a bad defensive tackle during his long Raiders tenure (and he was the most consistent great Bay Area player quote of this era, no doubt)…

He just wasn’t nearly as good as the Raiders expected and wished for him to be, once they committed bundles of millions to re-sign him in 2008.

And now Kelly is gone–the Raiders released him and continued their multi-year shedding of old favorites of Al Davis. Which got me thinking about the cumulative effect of all these over-picked or over-paid under-performers over the last decade of no-playoffs for the Raiders.

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Bad decisions, followed by bad decisions, followed by discards, followed by bad decisions. Add a whole bunch of losing throughout that.

This is a pattern for the last decade of Raiders football. Well, not really a pattern, it’s more like a droning, clanging cycle of dissolution and futility that no Raiders fan wants to keep hearing, but cannot deny now.

Because the worst of those players are gone, the money and picks are spent, the losing seasons are in the record book, and there’s nothing the new regime can do about it except try to avoid repeating those awful mistakes. That will take time, and already has taken time.

(Or Raiders fans can yell at me for bringing it up again now, but sorry, I brought it up while it was happening in the early-2000s and Raiders fans screamed at me then, so I can bring it up now and if Raiders fans are still mad, be mad at yourselves, too. Just a little.)

Everybody else? Left or purged, or some combination of the two reliable Raiders’ outcomes.

Right here I have to point out that there were some good/non-bad acquisitions over the last bad decade, of which I include: The drafting of Darren McFadden, Tyvon Branch, Jared Veldheer, Nnamdi Asomugha, Shane Lechler, Sebastian Janikowski Denarius Moore, Kirk Morrison and Michael Bush, among others.

There were some non-horrendous signings, too–Warren Sapp, Kerry Collins and I’m sure there were a few more that I’ve forgotten
here.

A guy like Phillip Buchanon falls in-between: He was over-drafted in 2002 draft (ahead of Ed Reed) but the Raiders got back two picks for him a few years later from Houston.

Anyway, this drumbeat of departures… not accompanied by any big rush of signings because the Raiders can’t afford it… set me to wondering if I could put together an entire roster of the Raiders’ All-Bad-Decade team.

This is how you fail to make the playoffs and field some of the worst teams in franchise history, all in a 10-season run. What a decade of horrible decisions.

—–The best of the worst of the 2003-2013 Raiders…

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* QB/

-JaMarcus Russell (drafted No. 1 overall in 2007, gone before 2010 season and has not played for another NFL team); VASTLY OVER-DRAFTED.

-Andrew Walter (drafted in the third round in 2005–five picks ahead of DE Justin Tuck–started 14 games for the Raiders in three seasons, gone after the 2008 season, has not taken an NFL snap since); OVER-DRAFTED.

* RB/

-LaMont Jordan (received $11M in guaranteed money from the Raiders as a free agent in 2005, when he gained over a 1,000 yards, but never came close in the next two seasons, was gone after the 2007 season; played with two more teams and hasn’t played since 2009); OVER-PAID.

-Justin Fargas (taken in third round of 2003 draft, ran hard for 7 seasons as a Raider, including for 1,009 in 2007, but never was much of an offensive difference-maker; gone after 2009 season); SLIGHTLY OVER-DRAFTED.

-Darrius Heyward-Bey (taken 7th overall in the 2009 draft–two picks ahead of NT B.J. Raji and three ahead of WR Michael Crabtree–had 140 catches and 11 TDs in four seasons as a Raider, released earlier this year); VASTLY OVER-DRAFTED.

-Randy Moss (acquired in a 2005 trade from Minnesota for LB Napoleon Harris and the 7th overall pick, caught 102 total passes in two listless Raiders seasons, was traded for a 4th-round pick in 2007 to New England, where Moss was spectacular for three seasons, and has changed teams 4 teams since 2010, including last year’s 28-catch stint with the 49ers and now is a free agent); OVER-PAID in trade and salary.

-Javon Walker (signed a massive free-agent deal with the Raiders in 2008 after he was released by Denver, played a total of 11 games in two seasons with the Raiders, catching 15 passes and earning about $21M, gone after 2009 season and hasn’t played another NFL down); VASTLY OVER-PAID.

-Johnnie Lee Higgins, Doug Gabriel, et al.

* TE/

-Teyo Johnson ( taken in the second round of the 2003 draft–five picks ahead of LB Lance Briggs–caught 24 passes in two seasons, released in 2005, played with Arizona in 2005, has not played since); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Kevin Boss (signed as a free agent in 2011, caught 28 passes that year, then was released in 2012, played last season in Kansas City); OVER-PAID.

* OL/

-Mario Henderson (taken in the third round of the 2007 draft–35 picks ahead of S Dashon Goldson–played 44 seasons in 4 seasons with the Raiders,was not re-signed in 2010 and has not played in the NFL since); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Langston Walker (taken in the second round of the 2002 draft–28 picks ahead of RB Brian Westbrook–had two tenures with the Raiders, starting 15 games in 2010 but hasn’t played in the NFL since); OVER-DRAFTED and OVER-PAID.

-Kwame Harris (signed as a free agent in 2008, started 11 games, was released in 2009 and hasn’t played in the NFL since); OVER-PAID.

-Robert Gallery (taken No. 2 overall in the 2004 draft–one pick ahead of WR Larry Fitzgerald–played 92 games in 7 seasons, signed with Seattle in 2011, retired in 2012); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Joe Barksdale (taken in the third round of the 2011 draft, did not play for the Raiders, released in 2012, played with St. Louis last season); OVER-DRAFTED.

* DE/

-Quentin Moses (taken in the third round of the 2007 draft–8 picks ahead of WR Jacoby Jones–released that summer, played four seasons in Miami, last season was 2010 thanks to commenters//and never played a game in the NFL); VASTLY OVER-DRAFTED.

-Sam Williams (taken in third round of 2003 draft–37 picks ahead of CB Asante Samuel–started 24 games in 7 seasons with the Raiders, released in 2011 and has not played in the NFL since then); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Tyler Brayton (taken in the first round of the 2003 draft–22 picks ahead of WR Anquan Boldin– registered 6 sacks in 4 seasons, signed with Carolina in 2008, last played with Indianapolis in2011); OVER-DRAFTED.

* DT/

-Richard Seymour (acquired in 2009 for a 2011 first-round pick, played 4 seasons with declining production, is currently a free agent after his contract voided); OVER-PAID in trade.

-Tommy Kelly (signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004, signed a $50M contract extension in 2008 and had 7 and 7.5 sacks in 2010-2011, but that dropped to 1.5 last season–he was released earlier today); OVER-PAID.

* LB/

-Rolando McClain (taken in the first round of the 2010 draft–7 picks ahead of DE Jason Pierre Paul–has been the starting MLB for three seasons, was suspended by the team late last season); VASTLY OVER-DRAFTED.

-Napoleon Harris (taken in the first round of the 2002 draft–one pick ahead of S Ed Reed–played 3 seasons for the Raiders and then was included in the deal for Randy Moss; hasn’t played in the NFL since 2008); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Kamerion Wimbley (acquired from Cleveland in a 2010 trade for a third-round pick in 2010 big contract in 2011, played one season for the Raiders, released before the 2012 season, played for Tennessee last season); OVER-PAID in trade and salary.

* CB/

-DeAngelo Hall (acquired for a second- and fifth-round pick in 2008, given a new deal, released after 8 games–and pocketing $8M; VASTLY OVER-PAID in trade and salary.

-Fabian Washington (taken in the first round in the 2005 draft–one pick ahead of QB Aaron Rodgers–grabbed 5 INTs in three seasons, was traded to Baltimore for a fourth-round pick in 2008 and last played in 2010); OVER-DRAFTED.

-Stanford Routt (taken in the second round of the 2005 draft–27 picks ahead of RB Frank Gore–grabbed 10 INTs in 7 seasons with the Raiders, re-signed to a massive deal in 2011, released before the 2012 season, signed as a free agent with Kansas City, released by KC, signed with Houston); OVER-DRAFTED and OVER-PAID.

-DeMarcus Van Dyke (taken in the third round of the 2011 draft, started 4 games in 2011, released before the 2012, signed with Pittsburgh); OVER-DRAFTED.

* S/

Gibril Wilson (signed a big free-agent deal in 2008, released in 2009, has played with Cincinnati and Miami, hasn’t played since 2011); VASTLY OVER-PAID.

Mike Mitchell (taken in the second round of the 2009 draft–6 picks before LeSean McCoy–grabbed 2 INTs in four seasons with the Raiders, signed with Carolina earlier this month); OVER-DRAFTED.

Derrick Gibson (taken in first round of 2001 draft–four picks ahead of Drew Brees–played 5 seasons with the Raiders, has not played in the NFL since 2006); OVER-DRAFTED.

Tim Kawakami

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Quentin Moses played 4 years for the Dolphins and last played in 2010.

harbinger

Just. Ugh-ly. So that is what people mean by systemic torpor. I believe some of these guys got the nod due to someone liking their name. Coaches included in that list.

Ray Finkle

Typically Kawakami Raider hate. What He fails to mention is that almost EVERY other team if given the chance would have drafted Russell, Gallery and Mcclain in their given draft slots. And to say, “oh this guy was drafted 35 slots ahead of so in so blah blah…” You can SAY that about every team and every draft. What a waste of time. Booo

sliver1935

Al Davis (RIP) was the one and only architect of these dismal draft choices, trades, free agent signings, etc. etc. We should praise his early Raider teams which he deserves full credit for. But this motley crew has his fingertips all over the decade you mention. The One exception is that of a former coach who gave away some of the future for an over the hill quarterback by the name of Carson Palmer. No folks, this debacle unfortunately belongs to the departed AD.

jpschewey

This comment has nothing to do with the post. I am just curious how long the “Remembering Al Davis” picture/link will remain on the main sports page website. He passed away in 2011. Is this still a relevant “feature”? Editors, you might want to freshen up the page once in a while.

What?

#3,

Russell and Gallery you are correct on. In fact, Gallery was seen as the safest pick in te draft. I didn’t like the MCClain pick from day 1, looking at his highlights, he used his arms to much, instead of his body. Funny, DHB had the opposite problem. But, to call Kawakami a hater over 3 picks listed, and ignoring the countless other decisions he mentioned that are right, makes you the hater.

Route246

In the business world this is called bad management and bad leadership. Al Davis was clearly in charge and owns the responsibility for these pieces of lost decades. The greatness of the Raidas became something to pity at the end. It became pathetic and a mere caricature and laughing stock of the league. For #3 to call this hate is just silly. TK is being as objective and generous as possible and that’s still not enough. The truth is, Al Davis went beyond mediocre and graduated to a sorry state. The 49ers were headed in this direction under John York but that was due more to neglect and absenteeism rather than incompetence. Al Davis at the end was an incompetent, incapable manager. There is no other way to characterize this.

Ray Finkle

#5, Kawakami constantly hates on the Raiders and that is a fact. He always tries to stir the pot because he is a terrible journalist. And yes, I do hate Kawakami. He is clueless on multiple sports and ALWAYS changes/distorts facts. Good day

Todd

Its a pretty big stretch to call any 3rd or 4th round pick “overdrafted”. Some work out (Veldheer), others don’t (Mario Henderson).

But the real problem is that the Raiders continually missed on their 1st round picks or traded them for veterans that didn’t contribute. That put the Raiders in a significant bind since they didn’t have enough homegrown talent and therefore had to sign more free agents to ridiculous contracts to fill the void.

WTF

7

“The truth is, Al Davis went beyond mediocre and graduated to a sorry state. The 49ers were headed in this direction under John York but that was due more to neglect and absenteeism rather than incompetence.”

So York was just lazy but NOT incompetent? What football background did he have? The 49ers were as bad if not worse than the Raiders after
2002, they were not just heading there, they were THERE.

http://Yahoo! PeteyBrian

Thanks Timmy!
Sounds like the Raiders need to shore up their NFL Draft personnel and GM staff with smart, aggressive, competent people.

I think I am a better judge of NFL talent than the Raiders organization over the last decade, and I’m clueless… How can the Raiders – with HIGH picks in each round – be so completely incompetent?

Man, the Raiders need to get their stuff (being nice) together…

Route246

If you’re talking about John York it is not am atter of being lazy or incompetent. He is a very intelligent guy. He was disinterested more than anything else and did not move to CA. He stayed in OH. You cannot be an absentee owner in the NFL. But, the fact of the matter is that the 49ers now have a competent management team in place that shows discipline, restraint and intelligence. The whole point of Tim’s essay was that Al Davis overdrafted and overpaid on a consistent basis for more than ten years. This is a guy that some people believed to be a football genius. At the end of his run he was anything but a football genius. He was the village idiot of the NFL.

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jay S

Good ol Tim, I remember this Dude! Still Hatin on the Raiders ..
You should spend you time writing about SF.

Anyhow. you could say that about any team. So ,,,blah blah blah blah
Cant believe I wasted my time on this StuFF ( being nice also)

Mr. Upside

As a Raider fan, I can honestly say that making the R’s All-Bad Decade team is probably more competitive than making the Patriot’s All-Great Decade team. There have been a lot of turds in the punch bowl to choose from…

Mike Mitchell’s Youtube Highlights

If you’re a Raider fan, you are a paying customer of a private business. If Safeway started selling rotten vegetables, and an article pointed that out, would you feel the need to defend the honor of your grocer? Because it’s more or less the same thing. We’re not a part of the team. We’re customers and we’ve been sold crappy products for 10 years now. Any anger I have is directed at the organization, not columnists pointing out what are pretty obvious truths.

Al Davis mortgaged the future to top out at 8-8. Sad, but true. The price is being paid now. Whatever your feelings on McKenzie, remember what he inherited salary cap hell, a lack of draft picks, and a scouting infrastructure that wasn’t even in the 21st Century, by all accounts. Whether he’s the right man for the job or not remains to be seen. I do find it refreshing that he seems to value actual football production over raw athleticism and measurables. Or youtube highlights. Or whatever delusion that led to Mike Mitchell being chosen in the 2nd round. We’ll see.

DirkSuave

This article is weak unless you do it for all NFL teams. Did AD make some moves and draft some players that didn’t work out? Yes. Did he always strive to win a title even while having “bad” seasons? Yep. Look folks you can call te Raiders laughingstocks all you want but the history of the Raiders continues to be written. In the near 60 years the Raiders have been in the NFL they known mostly “title competing” years. This is the worst they have ever been and the longest it’s been in over 50 years. That’s still a good track record in my book. Every team but 3-5 would kill to have the Raiders history including the last decade. Three Superbowls and 5-6 appearances last in 03. It’s been out turn as a bottom feeder and AD made moves attempting to halt that. I will never “hate” on Al like TK and other posters here. Moves didn’t work out? Drafted players didn’t work out? As far as I can tell that’s the same story for all other 30 teams who didn’t make the Superbowl the last decade too. But TK only does one for the Raiders? Bah. Waste of effort there. Lets also mention that Ad appeared to have things back on track when he passed and now MDavis is starting from scratch, adding more bad seasons. The Raiders will take their lumps LIKE EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE NFL. And once again they will be a relevant franchise. Ill take what the Raiders and AD have done including the last ten and be very happy.
So TK any other teams getting this whack job treatment? Why did you even bother to write this post? And you wondered why AL always fired shots at you. Pointless articles about the Raiders for no reason. Laughable. I wish Al was still here to defend himself and his moves. Hindsight much? Oh yeah!! That’s TK’s style. Double H. Hyperbole and Hindsight. Great job TK. You shining that writer of the year award or what?

TheAutumnWind

The “Raiders’ All-Bad-Decade team?” Who cares Tim? Thanks for rehashing the well-documented, obvious blunders of the Raiders — by a front office that is now gone.

Tim says “Raiders fans can yell at me for bringing it up again now…Raiders fans screamed at me then, so I can bring it up now and if Raiders fans are still mad, be mad at yourselves.”

What? You sound like a 12 year old TK. I think most diehard Raiders fans like myself agree with your assessments of the Raiders obvious blunders both in the past and present…There is no need to mock and cry about Raiders fans “yelling” at you — before they even “yell” at you.

Is you intention to purposely go out of your way to made Raiders fans mad? Why bash all Raiders fans — in anticipation of them bashing you? Unprofessional and childish. Why not talk about a current Raider topic…Say Carson Palmer.

Every other sports writer is talking about the Palmer situation — other than Bay Area sports writers of course who are actually in the Raiders backyard.

Palmer is a part of the Al Davis regime of poor, overpaid, short-sided decision making you speak of in this article. Now its clear that not only is it the right derision to cut Palmer — but the guy doesn’t want to play for us in the first place…

All the Carson Palmer defenders and excuse-makers should be eating crow now.

Michael B

But, man, do they have a great kicking game!

Steve C.

It looks very much like the Raiders will have the least talented roster in the NFL next season, maybe for a couple of seasons. I think the anatomy of this disaster is pretty interesting, I’m sorry the truth is so painful, Raider fans…

Mano de Nada

Bottom line, Raiders have consistently sucked, by making consistently bad decisions. Fans can hate on the sportswriter, but TK’s only delivering the obvious message.

TheAutumnWind

The Raiders suck? Nooooo…Really?

Thanks for the update guys…Next you’ll be telling me that bears crap in the woods…

Woj

It’s not a stretch to add incompetent Dennis Allen to this list. Do it, you’ll look like an expert prognosticator next year when the 4-12 Raiders fire Allen.

And defintely add Reggie McKlueless to this list. He is dismantling a mediocre team and making it worse simultaneously. Tons of Raiders fans wonder what he’s doing and I don’t think even he knows.
Show Reggie the door with that idiot coach he hired alone.

DirkSuave

Carson Palmer is the LONE bright spot. He has shown he is still an ELITE talent QB. With a revolving door at WR, poor TE and NO RUNNING GAME he still only want for 4000 yards 22 TD’s vs a measly 14 INT’s. many if those INT’s came when Palmer had to go above and beyond. He isn’t overpaid. Not at all considering what he was able to do last year. If Andy Ried “wanted” Alex after a 3500 17-5 year. Got the Niners some picks. Palmer could do the same if traded. Without a hint of the same talent level on offense he had a year that Alex would dream to have for KC. Palmer isn’t the problem. His salary with all the retooling by RegMac is out of whack. Not to say he ain’t worth it, he is, but not for a 4-12 team. But he is still an excellent QB. Hello Arizona? For a 2nd and possible future picks? Possibly.
Even after Carson leaves he would still not be on this list. Even under overpaid. 15 mil gets you a QB with very similar stats… Hue jack was right on that point. It had te chance to be the greatest trade ever for the Raiders. Too bad he wasn’t given that opportunity. Now it’s on Allen and the full Raider reboot.

hwighting

i’ve endured a few raiders games on tv and all i remember of that kelly fellow is that he makes a lot of stupid penalties.

Mitch (route246)

Similar things are being written in Dallas right now. A friend of mine is a die hard fan. The difference between Dallas and Oakland is that Dallas fans are more than willing to blame Jerry Jones. Raider Fan never seems willing to blame Al Davis. A fish rots from the head down and both of these fish are currently rotten to the core.